Turner Schedules Hearing on 7% Water Rate Hike

April 16, 2012 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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BROOKLYN – Among the most vexing expenses facing homeowners, whether in Brooklyn or elsewhere in the city, are water bills.

Congressman Bob Turner (R-Brooklyn/Queens), whose district contains a large number of single-family houses, plans a meeting next week on the New York City Water Board’s proposed 7-percent increase in water rates slated to take effect this July.

The hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 24, at 7 p.m. at P.S. 222, 3301 Quentin Road, Brooklyn. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

In a statement, Turner stressed the importance of local residents having their voices heard on decisions that will affect them financially.

“Brooklyn residents should know about this public hearing. I encourage them to register and express their opinions. These are tough economic times, and any water rate increase can be burdensome to hardworking Brooklynites,” he said.

Anyone may attend the hearing. To register to speak, residents must contact Diane Easparro at the NYC Water Board at (718) 595-3591 or via email at [email protected]. You must register to speak no later than 5 p.m. on the day before the hearing, and remarks are limited to 5 minutes.

The city’s Department of Environmental Protection has stated that if the new 7-percent water rate hike is implemented, based on an average consumption of 80,000 gallons per year, the typical single-family homeowner will see an increase from $877 per year to $939 per year for water and sewer bills.

In addition, an average multi-family unit with metered billing will have an increase from $571 per year for each dwelling unit to $610 per year for each unit.